There was plenty of action in the first period of Game 2, yet there wasn’t a lot of the chaos seen in Game 1’s opening frame. Apparently the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings saved the wild stuff for the second period.

A Brad Richards turnover opened the door for the Kings to quickly reduce the Rangers’ 2-0 lead to a 2-1 margin. Notice Lundqvist and Kevin Klein‘s failed attempt to avert disaster:

That actually came early in the period, but things really kicked off midway through.

Trading power-play goals

The Rangers’ power play was starting to become a concern early in this series, yet they broke through in an impressive way. Derek Stepan made a great pass (including drawing a ton of Kings attention) to Martin St. Louis, whose off-balance finish highlighted why the Rangers gave up a big package for him:

Down 3-1, the Kings needed some man-advantage success of their own. They got it thanks to Willie Mitchell‘s slapper, which came three minutes and 15 seconds after St. Louis scored:

A sloppy play for the Kings, too

Mitchell didn’t get much time to pat himself on the back after that power-play goal. Eleven seconds after that Mitchell goal, a mishap plus some great work from Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard opened the door for this 4-2 Brassard marker:

***

Overall, it was a four-goal second period that included both teams scoring a power-play goal and allowing a head-shaker. Ultimately, the Rangers remain up two (4-2) headed into the final frame.

Said it on the mcdonagh post, rangers have outplayed the kings 4 of 5 periods so far this series. All the pundits including Joey are right, kings have figured the rangers out, they won’t let them outskate them in game 2, the rangers can’t get to loose pucks.
What will melrose talk about if the rangers hang on? Oh my

joey4id - Jun 7, 2014 at 9:24 PM

To be honest, the Kings haven’t played well except for the 3rd period of game one. I haven’t heard anyone predict a sweep.,You?

joey4id - Jun 7, 2014 at 9:22 PM

That was an ugly period for the Kings, but the Rangers took advantage of some of the terrible plays made by the Kings. Quick has to play lights out in the third. Go Kings!

billiam55 - Jun 7, 2014 at 9:23 PM

Great effort and resiliency by the rangers. 11 seconds after kings score. Prove the haters wrong boys.

joey4id - Jun 7, 2014 at 9:28 PM

What did you call the Rangers after they gave up a two goal lead and lost in OT? The Rangers are no more resilient than the Kings. Both teams want it bad.

Took advantage of terrible plays? So when the rangers take advantage most of this series so far it’s due to mistakes but when the rangers make mistakes it’s due to the kings unreal size and forecheck.
Time for the rangers to play their third and clamp down. Joey/Blomfeld you’ll have to hold off on your Elvis videos.

joey4id - Jun 7, 2014 at 9:32 PM

Green losing the puck at the blue line was not because he was forechecked. Williams giving up the puck in the corner wasn’t because he was forechecked. Girardi giving up the puck in OT wasn’t because he was being forechecked. Kings are not hitting enough tonight. Give credit to the Rangers for capitalizing. Kings in 6.